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IUB Issues Dakota Access Permit

IUB LogoDes Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Utilities Board has found that Dakota Access has substantially complied with the requirements of the Board’s March 10, 2016, order and has issued a hazardous liquid pipeline permit to Dakota Access for the construction of a pipeline that would transport Bakken crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, passing through portions of Lyon, Sioux and O’Brien counties here in northwest Iowa.

However, according to the IUB, Dakota Access has made certain commitments that must be completed before construction can commence. Consistent with the company’s own commitments, construction may not commence until certain documents are filed with the Iowa Utilities Board. Dakota Access has committed to filing with the Board permits and approval documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa Department of Natural Resources prior to commencing construction. The company has also committed to file final versions of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and Unanticipated Discovery Plan prior to beginning construction according to the IUB.

In Friday’s order, the Board reviewed the compliance filings and the comments filed by the parties that were required in the Board’s March 10, 2016, order. As described in that order, the compliance filings are required in order to support and sustain the Board’s finding that the proposed pipeline will promote the public convenience and necessity, as required by Iowa law.

Friday’s Board order is available on the Board’s web site at, https://iub.iowa.gov.  All documents in this case are found in the Board’s Electronic Filing System at https://efs.iowa.gov/efs/.

Rasmussen, Jager Win Rock Rapids Crowns

Rock Rapids, Iowa — Congratulations are in order for two girls who were crowned in Rock Rapids on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy Ginger Rasmussen
Photo courtesy Ginger Rasmussen

This year the Rock Rapids Chamber decided to combine the annual Heritage Days Fundraiser Taco Feed with the crowning of the girls who will preside over Heritage Days festivities in June and will represent the town in area festivals.

Congratulations go out to Miss Rock Rapids, Hope Rasmussen; and Little Miss Rock Rapids, Emery Jager. Rasmussen is the daughter of Chad and Ginger Rasmussen. Jager is the daughter of Jeff and Angie Jager.

Also presented at the Taco Feed this year was the Citizen of The Year Award, which this year was given to Ron Rice.

Chamber Director Angie Jager reports they served over 200 people at the taco feed and $5450 was raised for the Heritage Days festival in the cake and pie auction.

Ernst Confident Iowa Is Ready In Case Of Bird Flu Outbreak

Senator Joni ErnstNorthwest Iowa — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she is confident Iowa will be more prepared this spring if there is another outbreak of the bird flu like the one that devastated flocks here in northwest Iowa, and elsewhere, last year.

Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says a lot of work has been done to help prevent an outbreak like the one that hit last year.

Ernst says reacting quickly if there is another outbreak is important.

Some 34 million birds on 77 Iowa farms had to be destroyed after contracting the virus last year.

Youth-Only Spring Turkey Season Starts Saturday

turkeyNorthwest Iowa — If there’s a young hunter in your house you’re probably aware than youth-only spring turkey season starts this Saturday, April 9th in Iowa. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say about 50-thousand turkey licenses have been purchased so far this year.

Jim Coffey, a forest wildlife species technician with the D-N-R’s Wildlife Bureau, predicts an excellent season ahead.

The wild turkey population should be strong this spring, he predicts, as this past winter wasn’t too harsh.

Many hunters could benefit from a reminder about safety, Coffey says.

The youth-only season begins Saturday and runs through April 17. The first of the four regular seasons will be April 18 through 21. The second is April 22 through 26. The third is April 27 to May 3. The fourth season is May 4 to 22. The archery-only license is good from April 18 through May 22. Learn more at: www.iowadnr.gov

Nurses From Rock Rapids, Spencer Recognized

Northwest Iowa — A nurse from Rock Rapids and two from Spencer are among 100 nurses being recognized by the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program.
100 Great Iowa Nurses
Program officials say the 100 Great Iowa Nurses award recognizes nurses that have made meaningful, lasting contributions to their patients, colleagues, and the nursing profession, and are viewed as mentors to other nursing professionals. They say this year’s honorees exemplify all of the principles on which the 100 Great Iowa Nurses Celebration was founded.

Among the nurses honored this year are Sanford Rock Rapids Hospice Patient Care Coordinator Marge Smith; and Laura Armstrong and Colette Rossiter, both from the Spencer Hospital.

The nurses will be honored at a ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 3 PM at the Iowa Events Center at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Nurses are honored at the beginning of National Nurses Week at the annual celebration. The winners come from all practice areas in nursing, including acute care, sub-acute care, school nursing, nurse leaders, academics, and many more, according to program officials.

Organization Provides Support To Sex Assault Victims

Spencer, Iowa — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Iowa.

Victims of sexual assault in our area have a new resource for help. Until recently, the Family Crisis Centers, based in Sioux Center provided the service to people in several counties, including all four of the counties in our primary coverage area. That service is now provided by Centers Against Abuse Skyla Edwards CAASAand Sexual Assault — or CASSA — based in Spencer. Their advocate for O’Brien County, Skyla Edwards tells us about them and their services.


She tells us about another service they provide.


Edwards tells us that she served as an advocate a while back, but resigned — and she’s now back with CAASA, and wants to make sure that people she served in the past know that she is back in her old position and is ready to help.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, or are in a crisis situation, call their hotline at 877-362-4612. You can find out more at www.caasaonline.org.